January 14, 2010

UPS is very generous, but they’re not shipping your donations to Haiti for free!

UPS is a very charitable company. We love them! They’ve committed $1 million US dollars to Haiti relief through agencies on the ground in the area, but they’re not shipping your in-kind donation to The Salvation Army to Haiti for free.

Yesterday Twitter users were tweeting and re-tweeting the message that UPS will ship up to 50 pounds worth of donated food and clothing to Haiti – for free – and that all Salvation Army and United Way units would be collection sites for the effort. I don’t know how the message got so confused, but it’s not true. Here’s a link to the UPS blog which explains what they’re doing.

The public can help The Salvation Army the most right now by making a financial gift that gives us the purchasing power we need to care for disaster survivors. Financial donations can be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by visiting the website to make an online gift. You can also mail checks to The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728. Or, grab your mobile phone and text the word “Haiti” to 52000 and make a $10 donation that will show up on your phone bill.

Gifts of in-kind materials are always needed by your Salvation Army thrift store to support the work in your local community. If you wish to donate to your local thrift store, please call 1-800-95TRUCK or visit them online. Please keep in mind that acceptance of material goods for “disaster survivors only” is not possible, as the logistics and added expense for transportation of these items is not practical or cost effective.

If you’ve already begun to collect clothing and household items for the survivors of the Haitian earthquake, please consider holding a yard sale and sending the financial proceeds to your favorite charity for their relief efforts.

About

We want to celebrate The Salvation Army donors, volunteers and staff in almost every community in America who are making it possible for someone hungry to eat; someone lonely to have a friend; or someone lost to be found. We hope you stop by often and find something to encourage you.